CITAD Launches Initiative to Bridge Gender Digital Divide

• A new program has been introduced by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)
• This program is targeted at women and girls in Northern Nigeria.
• The participating women will be provided with digital skills training

CITAD, the Centre for Information Technology and Development has launched an initiative entitled Addressing the Gender Digital Divide and Engaging Women in Business in Northern Nigeria (Agenda-WINNIG).

The aim is to address the gender digital divide and increase economic empowerment for women and girls living in Nigeria’s Northern Region. Through this initiative, training and development of digital skills will be provided to women in order for them to participate within a digital economy.

"In my opinion, one way to develop the economic capacity of women is to develop their ability to use digital technologies. In doing so, they can have opportunities to use digital technology as a means of engaging in economic activities and thus, improving their lives and those of their families," said Babakura.

To date, 12 public town hall meetings have taken place in multiple locations throughout the Kano State: Rano,  Bichi, and Kano Municipalities.

The project is expected to last for 18 months and will occur within Kano and Bauchi States. The main objectives will be to provide participants with the digital skills and competencies necessary for ongoing engagement in a digital environment beyond the project time-frame.

The program is meant for women and girls between the ages of 16-40. This includes girls in secondary schools, women without secondary school certificates, and women who have finished secondary school but need digital skills in order to boost their economic status. This will include basic computer literacy skills and digital safety practices called Na’ura Tsaftacecciya in local language.

Additionally, final year secondary school girls will benefit from coaching on how to pass the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

In his goodwill address at the event, Sunusi Uba, the Kano Zonal Education Director for the Rano Zone, said the project was an important milestone for inclusive development. According to him, increasing digital awareness among women will benefit the communities and urged participants to fully utilize this opportunity.